Definition

1. Noun:
   • A saucer-shaped membrane bone that forms the back of the skull: The occipital bone is a single, curved bone located at the lower back part of the cranium. It forms the base of the skull and contains a large opening, the foramen magnum, through which the spinal cord connects to the brain.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The occipital bone protects the visual processing centers at the back of the brain.
  • A fracture of the occipital bone can be a very serious injury.
  • In human anatomy, the occipital bone is one of the bones that form the cranium.

Advanced Usage

• "Occipital bone morphology": Refers to the study of the shape and structure of this bone, often used in anthropology and forensic science.

  • Differences in occipital bone morphology can help identify ancestry.

• "Basilar part of the occipital bone": Refers to the thick, square portion in front of the foramen magnum.

  • The basilar part of the occipital bone articulates with the sphenoid bone.

Variants and Related Words

• Occipital (adj): Pertaining to the back of the head or the occipital bone.

  • He suffered an occipital lobe injury.

• Occiput (n): The back part of the head or skull, corresponding to the region of the occipital bone.

  • The pain was localized to the occiput.

Synonyms

• None: As a specific anatomical structure, the occipital bone has no true synonyms. It can be described as the bone at the back of the skull or the posterior cranial bone.

Related Phrases

• "Foramen magnum of the occipital bone": The large opening in the bone for the spinal cord.

  • The spinal cord passes through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone.

• "Occipital condyles": The two rounded projections on the underside of the occipital bone that articulate with the first vertebra (atlas).

  • The occipital condyles allow for the nodding motion of the head.

Related Idioms

• None: There are no common idioms specifically using the term "occipital bone," as it is a technical anatomical term.

Noun

1. a saucer-shaped membrane bone that forms the back of the skull